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Sunday, September 11, 2016

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION

CHAPTER ONE

1.0Introduction

1.1Background to the Study

Modern
Technology in communication is no doubt turned the entire world into a “Global
Village”. But as it is, technology like two sides of a coin, bring with it both
the negative and positive sides. It helps people to be better informed,
enlightened, and keeping abreast with world developments. Technology exposes
mankind to a better way of doing things. Meanwhile,
human history is characterized with conflict. What therefore differs is the
approach or strategy adopted to resolve or manage a particular conflict
situation. The effectiveness or otherwise of the management of conflict is
itself largely depend on how the causes of the conflict have been understood
and resolved. Okoh (2005).

It
is not possible to have good human relations without communication. An
effective communication is required, not only for maintaining human relations,
but also for achieving good business performance. In addition, practical
experience shows that there is no communication without conflicts. Sometimes,
conflicts can be useful, as they help to make correct decision, although they
might represent a huge obstacle to an organization and its business. Ajah
(2007).

Conflict
therefore refers to any contradictions arising from differences in the
interests, ideas, ideologies, orientation and precipitous tendencies of the
people concerned. These contradictions are inherent at all levels of social and
economic interactions of human race. It may therefore exist at the individual, group,
institutional, regional, national and international levels. Conflict is thus a
pervasive phenomenon in human relationships and has been seen as the “basic
unit for understanding social existence. Nnoli, (2008).

Social conflict occurs “when two or more actors oppose
each other in social interaction, reciprocally exerting social power in an
effort to attain scarce or incompatible goals and prevent the opponent from
attaining them”. Social conflicts constitute one of the major recurring
problems bedeviling the socio-economic and political landscape in Africa and
Nigeria in particular.

Achieving a sustainable development has become a
difficult task for developing nations, in spite of efforts by development
experts to bring about desired development. The term “sustainable development
was brought into common use by the world commission on Environment and
development (WECD) in its 1987 seminar report entitled “our common future”.

In a broader and encompassing definition, sustainable
development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The scope of conflict resolution covers economic,
ecological social and political dimensions to development. The economic
component consists of optimizing the use of limited resources and the
management of material and energy saving technologies. It provides for the
integrity of biological and physical sciences and oriented to human
development, preserve stability of public and internal systems. Abah and Okwori,
(2005).

Many factors prevent students from direct and open
communication, such as active media like memo, letter, billboard, e.t.c
communication the result is at high risk of conflict situations. If there is
direct communication with the use of social media like facebook, whatsapp,
twitter e.t.c applied effectively by students on time, the conflict can be
avoided, or its impact can be minimized.

Conflicts happen each day and their successful management
is a key element of organizational, institutional and managerial success. In
addition, conflict is a process where a person deliberately makes an effort to
prevent efforts of another person with an opposing action, which will result in
frustrating the other Person to achieve his goals or satisfy his interests.
Robbins (1995).

Institutional conflict occurs, as actors engage in
activities that are incompatible with those of colleagues within their network,
members of other institution, or unaffiliated individuals who utilize the
services or products of the institution. The same author conceptualizes
conflict as an interactive process manifested in incompatibility, disagreement,
or dissonance within or between social entities (individual groups,
organizations, e.t.c). It has been argued that no meaningful development can
take place in an atmosphere of disunity, rancor and conflicts. Rahim (2002).

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